Give Yourself a Gift this Holiday Season

During the holiday season, we are often thinking of others. What presents can I get for Uncle Mike or my granddaughter Sarah? One of the most important gifts you can give to your loved ones is the gift of yourself. Protecting your health is one of the best things you can do.

At Roswell Park Cancer Institute, we are specialists in cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. Finding cancer early saves lives and often means better outcomes. Roswell Park has recently launched a new Breast Cancer Screening Program making it easier than ever for women in our community to get a mammogram and benefit from our breast cancer experience.

We encourage all women to get a mammogram every year starting at the age of 40. Annual screening mammography beginning at age 40 saves the most lives. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, you may need to start sooner. If you think you might be at increased risk for breast cancer, please talk with your doctor or you can contact our Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Prevention Program (1-877-Ask-RPCI) for a risk evaluation.

Previously we were only able to offer screening mammograms to our patients. Now in our new expanded breast imaging center, any woman in the community can have their mammogram at Roswell Park. Our state-of-the-art breast imaging center is located in the beautiful new Scott Bieler Clinical Sciences Center, at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Carlton Streets. We have 3-D mammography, which has been proven to increase cancer detection and any other breast imaging you may need. If you need a mammogram, think Roswell Park.

Roswell Park is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. It is our goal to reach all members of our community with information regarding the importance of screening mammography. Roswell Park has a long history of supporting programs that share information about cancer such as the Buffalo/Niagara Witness Project, a faith-based program created to increase awareness of breast and cervical cancer in African-American women. Meaning “Life and Hope” in Spanish, Esperanza y Vida is a program that educates and helps increase breast, cervical cancer and diabetes screening in Latinas living in rural and urban areas.

At Roswell Park, patient navigators work directly with patients to assist with personal, physical, cultural and other needs that support patient satisfaction and well-being. We are fortunate to be the recipients of funding from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office to hire a new Community Patient Navigator, Kristy Tyson. Kristy is a special kind of navigator who works daily scheduling screening mammogram appointments for community members who do not have cancer. She is able to schedule ladies even if they do not have health insurance or have not been to their doctor in a while. If you are in need of her assistance, please ask for Kristy Tyson when you call Roswell Park to schedule your mammogram.

You want to be where the experts are. When your doctor gives you your next prescription for a mammogram, say you want to go to Roswell Park. No referral is needed. Most mammograms are normal, but if yours is not, our multidisciplinary team will be there to take care of you. Roswell Park is the only comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. We help set the standards for breast health.

For more information about scheduling a mammogram or any cancer question, reach out to Roswell Park at 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or schedule an appointment online at roswellpark.org/womenshealth.

You may be giving yourself the gift of a lifetime – memories with your family.

By Ermelinda Bonaccio, MD

Clinical Chief, Breast Imaging Center

Roswell Park Cancer Institute